James Harvey Heusser

James Harvey Heusser passed away on July 12, 2017 at the age of 85. He was born on September 11, 1931 to Delbert and Verda Heusser in Murray, Utah. He was the 4th out of 6 children: Bonnie, Molly, Catherine, Ginger, and Richard, with Ginger being the only survivor.

Jim loved sports, cooking, and putting on great parties! He was a boxer, baseball player, and bowler. He was proud of his time playing baseball in Chicago, and softball for Page Brake. He played ball throughout his life. He sparred with Gene Fullmer, who was a great friend, and bowled until just a few months before he died. His parties were centered around his cooking and his food was legendary.

On February 3rd, 1955 he married Alice Marie Gunnell, his soul mate and eternal best friend. They were later sealed in the SL Temple on June 26, 1957. Alice was the center of his life and he adored her. They had three children: Robyn Wardell (Randy), Jamie Sharp (Dennis), and his son, James Samuel (Sam) Heusser (Kori).

Jim grew up and lived in Murray, Utah for most of his life. He was a life guard at the Murray Pool, an usher at the Murray theatre, but was best known as the local barber and everyone’s best friend. If you lived in Murray, you no doubt knew and loved him.

He was a member of the LDS church and had many church callings throughout his life. He was an usher at the conference center and a temple worker at the Jordan River Temple. He especially loved teaching the youth in Sunday School. Many times he'd teach his class around his kitchen table over a plate of pancakes. Young men from all over would come by for boxing lessons and he'd teach them about life while punching the bag. His grandkids will never forget his homemade root beer and Christmas Eve parties!

He was a veteran and fought in the Korean War.

Jim is survived by his wife, Alice; 3 children and spouses; 9 grandchildren, 7 grandchildren in-laws; 12 great-grandchildren; and hundreds of friends.

Please join us in celebrating his life on Wednesday, August 16th, 11am at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley Funeral Chapel located at 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy. (10600 South) in South Jordan, Utah. Following the services will be a visitation, viewing and light luncheon for family and friends. For those who knew him well, please come prepared with your favorite stories of Jim for the open microphone visitation after the funeral services. Interment will follow at the Murray City Cemetery at 3:30pm.